What does an experienced RN look for in a new grad?

[snoozie64]

Hey there!

I am getting ready to finish my schooling but not my learning. I've been on this forum for some time now; from pre-nursing, to student and finally, to graduate! I've read many a vent, article, blog about this treacherous time immediately following graduation. I am not intimidated or afraid; instead, I am mostly curious. Curious about what experienced nurses want and look for in their new team mates.

I have witnessed first hand in my clinicals places I would not work if paid a million dollars! The cleanliness of a work space (and especially the break room!!!) says soooo much about how the folks who work there feel about each other and the job they do. On some units bad days are the norm and no amount of "new nurse exuberance" can change that. But most of my experiences have been good, even great in the case of my final clincal experience in the MICU at the VA where I would gladly work without pay.... until I needed to pay back my darn loans!

What I have learned as a student is that many nurses want a competent, flexible, willing to learn, not too irritating (includes those too afraid to do anything without a committee to those who wade in blindfolded and make extra work for everyone!), (did I mention willing to learn?) and of course always willing to help member of the team.

My inexperienced view from the bleachers is that we all (new nurses and experienced nurses) sometimes model less than desirable traits and end up fighting an uphill battle when we should all be pulling in the same direction--the one where patient care is the priority and personal graffiti is shed at the door.

So, I was wondering if any of you with experience dealing with us new grads, (the good, the bad, and the ugly!) would mind sharing the problems we caused you and how you overcame our shortcomings to work with us anyway?! Who knows, maybe your words will spare another nurse the headache or maybe even keep a novice from antagonizing a perfectly nice charge nurse in the future!

Thanks!

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

I do not work with new grads. My area doesn't hire them. Students go through our area every now and then....and they are freaked out by the speed of recovery room and the somewhat uncontrolled (in their eyes) chaos.

All I can add to this post is--please, please, please be open to criticism and don't be whiney. I can't stand whiney.

[acuariaRN]

Don't be lazy, do your assessments, be aware of relevant vital signs (make sure your check blood pressure/pulse before giving cardiac meds for example, when in doubt, ASK!)... and chart/fill out whatever paperwork is required of your shift. Look at the big picture, make sure your patients pee (especially the post ops) and get used to figuring out what your priorities are for your shift. Your coworkers/mentors should be able to help you do this. Be confident but not reckless. I cannot stress enough that if you don't know something, don't pretend you do just to save face. If you make a mistake come clean and try to figure out how to prevent a repeat performance. Believe me you'll sleep better in the end and you will command much more respect. Do your discharges/transfers in a timely manner. Communicate with your charge nurse. Find your support system. Don't try to blame everyone else for the difficulties you might encounter. Most nurses will do their best to help you, but are sometimes very busy... appearing to not care about you... don't take it personally. If you feel unsupported and faced with a difficult decision, call your nursing supervisor. Keep a good attitude... pretty soon you'll be precepting! :)

[llg, PhD, RN]

Don't be whiney and/or act as if you thaink that "it's all about you." That's one of the worst thing a new grad can do. The experience nurses on the unit would like to help you and be nice to you ... but they have patients of their own to care for, extra responsibilities that you don't have (to precept, be in charge, provide informal leadership, be a resource to everyone, etc.), and bodies that are probably older and in more pain than yours.

You'll find nice people who will do their best to help you ... but understand that you will find some other people who are so overwhelmed with their own work and their own problems that they don't have much left to donate to you. There is often "a lot going on" on a hospital unit that gets in the way of your personal needs and desires. Accept that and get your needs met from other people and at other times -- in other words, take the support when you can get it, but don't expect it all the time.

[Jules A, MSN]

Definitely be aware that the advice of seasoned nurses, even if it "isn't how we did it in nursing school", is probably a decent approach. I've only been a nurse for just over 3 years and I still defer to the people that are more experienced and often ask for their insight. If you don't know how to do something be willing to try it if someone can be there to assist you. Offer to help with the tasks that you can do and this will free up time for your co-workers to help you with the things you aren't yet able to do alone. Don't be critical of how things are done until you have valuable insight and experience to offer. Good luck!